Heritage

Contents

Bundaberg Stories

A Special Town to Me

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A Special Town to Me is a song about Bundaberg which was originally performed by Walkervale State School students in 1981. The song was then recorded onto 45 RPM vinyl in 1982 and presented to Kolan Shire Council on 10 May 1982. The recording has made its way into the Library's local history collection and it is now being shared in an effort to preserve and disseminate our local history. We thank ABC Radio Wide Bay for transferring the recording from the original 45 to digital format.By Waters & Morrison

Sugar Cane

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Sugar Cane is a song about Bundaberg which was originally performed by Walkervale State School students in 1981. The song was then recorded onto 45 RPM vinyl in 1982 and presented to Kolan Shire Council on 10 May 1982. The recording has made its way into the Library's local history collection and it is now being shared in an effort to preserve and disseminate our local history. We thank ABC Radio Wide Bay for transferring the recording from the original 45 to digital format.By Waters & Morrison

Cable Communication and the Mon Repos Cable House

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An audio story on the importance of cable communication to Australia in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the significance of the cable house located at Mon Repos during that time.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Morse Code and the Bundaberg Telegraph Cable

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An audio story about Morse Code and the telegraph office in Bundaberg.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Discovery of Barolin

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An audio story describing the discovery of Barolin by Nugent Wade Brown in 1862.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Barolin Nature Reserve

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The 1200 acre pasturage reserve, now known as the Barolin Nature Reserve, at Bargara, is the result of a Government decision in 1879.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Train Trip to Neilson Park

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An audio story about one child's excitement during a train trip from Bundaberg to Neilson Park for the Railway Picnic.By Bundaberg Regional Council

A Fettler's Life

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Fettlers, or railway workers, had a very tough job building the railways of the region.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Railway Picnic

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The Railway Picnics held annually at Nielson Park from 1922 to 1972 were eagerly anticipated by Bundaberg region residents. It was a fun day out for the whole family.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Siren of the Surf

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In this audio story we hear of 1953 Siren of the Surf winner Joan Pitt's (nee Reiken) experience competing in the Siren of the Surf competition.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Barolin Homestead

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Nugent Wade Brown named the area 'Borolin' (now Barolin) and described it as "the most beautiful place in the world". It stretched from Burnett Heads in the north to Elliott Heads in the south and became a great cattle stud.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Boolboonda Tunnel

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The railway line from Bundaberg to Mt Perry opened in 1884. It necessitated the construction of the Boolboonda Tunnel - the longest (192m) unsupported railway tunnel in Queensland. The railway line closed in 1960 but the tunnel remains and is a habitat for bent-wing bats.By Bundaberg Regional Council

Bert Hinkler's First Flight

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Bert Hinkler made his first successful flight aged 19 on Mon Repos beach, Bundaberg. He went on to a great career in aviation, including becoming the first person to fly solo from England to Australia.By Bundaberg Regional Council

South Sea Islander Wall

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Many South Sea Islanders were brought to Queensland from their homes in the late 1800s to work on farms. In the course of clearing the land they built stone walls. This particular stone wall, built around 1884, is heritage listed and runs for over 1.5km. Descendant Matt Nagus describes what life was like for the South Sea Islanders brought to the Bundaberg region.By Bundaberg Regional Council